French presidential election: saying no to disaster

Mediapart is calling for a vote for Emmanuel Macron against Marine Le Pen in the second round of the French presidential election on Sunday May 7th. This is not out of approval for his manifesto, writes Mediapart’s publishing editor and co-founder Edwy Plenel, but in defence of democracy as an arena where one has the freedom to object - including against Macron's policies. For under the authoritarian and identity-obsessed far right, he says, this fundamental right would certainly come under challenge.

To vote against Marine Le Pen by voting for Emmanuel Macron does not mean voting for the latter's manifesto. It is a vote to defend democracy itself as a forum for disagreement, crossed by divergent interests and conflicting causes. A place where democracy's contradictions, pluralism, diversity, demands and hopes can be freely expressed – including when faced with the policies of a Macron presidency.